Typewriter



6 Sheets-Sheet l P. W. SHlELDS TYPEWRITER Filed March 29, 1952' Des. 5, 1933.

@Oja-L M P. W. SHIELDS Dec. 5, 1933.

TYPEWRITER Filed March 29. 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mvm @WAA Q i Dec. 5, 1933.

P. W. SHIELDS TYPEWHITER 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 29, 1952 Paxff T1105 ma@ Dec. 5, 1933. P, w sHlELDs 1,938,114

TYPEWHITER Filed March 29, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Ijsl l l l y lNvEN'roR 'I PM umm BW, S

Patented Dec. 5, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

The present invention relates to improved mechanism in a. typewriter whereby the operator may, at will, eiect either a single spacing as is now customary or a plural spacing. The invention relates broadly to typewriters whether of the standard single keyboard construction or of the so-called double or twin typewriter units having a double keyboard.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application, Serial No. 130,135, for improvement in Typewriters, iiled August 19, 1926, which has issued as Patent No. 1,855,845, dated April 26, 1932.

In the accompanying drawings there are shown more or less diagrammatically, and for purposes oi illustration only, certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, it beingunderstood that the drawings do not deiine the limits of my invention since changes in the construction and operation disclosed therein may be made without departing either from the spirit of the present invention or the scope of my broader claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a partial vertical sectional view through a portion of a typewriter constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, illustrating a slightly modified embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through a portion of the escapement mechanism shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing a portion of the escapement mechanism of Figure 2; l

Figure 5 is a rear elevational view of the escapement mechanism shown in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a rear elevational view of the escapement mechanism shown in Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a sectional View on the line VII- VII of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a detailed sectional view of the control mechanism for the escapement;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view showing the invention applied to a double or twin type- A writer;

Figure 10 is a detailed sectional view on an enlarged scale on the line X--X of Figure l;

Figure 11 is a similar view on the line XI-XI ofFigure 2; and

Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view on th line XII-XII of Fig. 9 showing a preferred arrangement of the escapement and controlling mechanism for the embodiment shown in Fig. 9.

lthe machine may be operated to effect a print- In carrying out the present invention, it may be desirable to adapt the same to a standard typewriting machine having a single space bar and so construct the mechanism that either the ordinary printing operation or the ordinary 50 spacing operation may be obtained. In other cases, it is desirable to so construct the mechanism that the foregoing results are obtainable as well as a plural spacing operation, either mode of operation being available to the operator as the operator may elect.

In Figure 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a machine of standard construction having my invention applied thereto in such manner that ing and a single spacing operation simultaneously or to eiect a printing and a double spacing operation simultaneously.

. Referring more particularly to Figures l and 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated a frame 2 of suitable construction having mounted therein a plurality of type bars 3, as well understood in the art. Each of these type bars is adapted to be operated by a key lever 4 operatively connected thereto in. known manner. The frame is also shown as being provided with a space bar 5 adapted to effect a single spacing operation when struck independently and a double spacing operation when strucksimultaneously with the printing of a character.

The escapement mechanism by means of which these results are obtained is illustrated in detail in Figures A3 and 5.

In these figures, there is shown a rack bar 'Z usually provided in standard typewriter structures for controlling the movement of the carriage. This rack bar is illustrated as cooperating with a pinion 8 by means of which its movement is regulated. Carried by the shaft 9, on which the pinion 8 is mounted, is an escapement wheel 10. The Wheel 10 is rotatable relative to the shaft 9 under control of a supplemental escapement controlling mechanism 11, as will be later explained. In Figure 1 of the drawings, the parts are shown in the normal position which they occupy when the machine is at rest. Upon operation of a key, its corresponding type bar 3 is thrown to the position illustrated in Figure 3, in which position it engages the vibrator actuating bar 12 operatively connected to the compound vibrator 13. This vibrator comprises a holding pawlv 14 and a release pawl 15. Normally, the release pawl 15 is in engagement with one of the teeth of the escapement Wheel 1'0, (Figure 1) whereby movement of the escapement wheel is prevented. The exact position assumed by the release pawl 15 at such times is controlled by a stop 16 of any usual type; this stop preferably being adjustable for varying the normal position assumed by the' release pawl. Upon operation of the vibrator actuating bar, the release pawl 15 is moved out l the pawl 15, the desired rotation of the escapement wheel will be obtained and the" consequent travel of the carriage will be such that single spacing operation is effected. (If stop 18 is adjusted for plural throw of the release pawl 15, the travel of the carriage will be for a corresponding number of spaces.) Upon release of the key lever, the parts return to the position shown in Figure 1. During this return movement, the holding pawl 14 is moved to inoperative position and the release pawl l5 is moved to operative position. As it moves to operative position, it engages anew tooth on the escapement wheel, and under the inuence of the carriage spring permits the escapement wheel to rotate until the release pawl again engages the stop 16.

Cooperating with the vibrator actuating the bar is any usual form of ribbon feeding and controlling mechanism 19 constituting no essential part of the present invention.

When it is desired to eiect an ordinary spacing operation, the space bar 5 is depressed. The opposite end of the bar 5 is provided with an upwardly projecting arm 20 which cooperates with the horizontal portion of a bell-crank lever 21. The upper portion of the bell-crank lever 21 is forked as shown at 22 in Figures 5 and 6.

This forked portion cooperates with the shank of a headed lug 23 carried by a lever-24 of the,

escapement controlling mechanism. A spring 26 is connected to the upper portion of the bellcrank lever 21 for returning the same to the position shown in Figure 1 when the space bar 5 is released` 'Ihe escapement controlling mechanism 11 includes a housing 27 mounted on the shaft 9. One end of the lever 24 is pivotally mounted adjacent the periphery of the housing 27 on a pin 28. The other end of the lever 24 enters a slot 29 in the housing 27. On the end of the shaft 9 which projects into the housing 27 are mounted three discs. 'Ihe outer two discs are provided with ratchet. teeth so as to constitute ratchet wheels 31 and 33. Should other means be found permissible for eliminating friction between the two ratchet wheels, the central disc 32 `may be omitted. The teethon the two ratchet wheels are substantially identical and are equal in number on the two wheels. vThe outer ratchet wheel 31 is keyed or otherwise secured on the shaft 9 and therefore must rotate with the shaft 9.

An arcuate slot 34 in the outer ratchet wheel 31 permits a pin 35 on the inner ratchet wheel 33 to project therethrough and to move arcuately through a limited angle relative thereto. A tension spring 36 is connected, as shown in Figure 5, with the pin 35 at one end and the outer ratchet wheel 31 with the other end. The pin 35 extends through the disc 32; and, accordingly, this disc is provided with an arcuate slot 39 to permit relative movement between the disc 32 and both ratchet wheels.

A lug 40 carried by the movable end of the lever 24 extends inwardly towards the axis of the shaft 9 to engage the teeth on the ratchet wheels. This lug is so positioned as to act as a detent for the vinner ratchet wheel 33 when the space bar 5 is in released position (as in Figure 1) and to act as a detent for the outer ratchet Wheel 31 when the space bar 5 is depressed, moving the upper portion of the bellcrank lever 2l outwardly. In the position shown in Figure 5, the teeth of the two wheels do not absolutely register so that the lug 40 may readily move' from inner to outer position, sliding off a tooth of wheel 33onto a tooth of Wheel 31. As the lug 40 moves from inner position to outer position, the tension spring 36 moves the pin 35 on the inner ratchet wheel along the slot 34 so that the inner ratchet wheel moves forward the space between two teeth. The lug 40 is now acting as a detent for the outer ratchet wheel 31 and the shaft 9. Upon release of the spacer bar 5, the lug 40 isvreturned to its inner position where it acts as a detent for the inner ratchet wheel 33. This ratchet wheel has already moved forward the space of one tooth. The outer'ratchet wheel 31 is now released and moves forward the one space so as to again bring the pin 35 to the end of the slot 34, the position in which the parts are shown in Figure 5. Movement of the outer ratchet wheel is caused by the carriage spring acting upon the rack 7 and through the pinion 8 upon the shaft 9, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. AIt will furthermore, be understood that the pinion 8 is not keyed to the shaft 9 but is connected thereto by a pawl 42, so that when the operator returns the carriage against spring tension, the pinion 8 may rotate with movement of the rack bar 7 vwithout causing rotation of the shaft 9. A

As previously intimated, the escapement wheel 10 is not secured to the shaft 9. This wheel is secured to or formed integral with a sleeve 44 which is mounted 'on the shaft 9 for arcuate movement relative thereto. A sleeve-like extension 45 of the housing 27 surrounds the sleeve 44 and is keyed thereto at 46. It is thus apparent that even through the escapement wheel 10 be held stationary, by the holding pawl 14, the

lever 24 may be actuated to permit rotation of the shaft 9 relative to the wheel 10.

lIf it be assumed that the housing 27 is thus maintained stationary for the time being, and

thatl the space bar 5 be depressed, the lever 24' will be rocked outwardly on its pin 28, the extent of rocking movement being limited by the pin and slot connection 47, shown in Figure 8. As the lug 40 becomes disengaged from the inner ratchet wheel 33, the spring 36 rotates the Wheel 33 the distance between two of the teeth thereof. The shaft 9 is still maintained stationary, however, since the lug 40 is in engagement with a tooth of the outer ratchet wheel 31, which is keyed to the shaft 9. When the space bar 5 is released, the lug 40 moves out of engagement with the outer ratchet wheel 31 to engage a tooth of the vinner ratchet wheel 33. the carriage spring upon the rack 7 now causes movement of theshaft 9 carrying with it the outer ratchet wheel 31 until the pin 35 is stopped The action of by coming to the end of the slot 34. It is apparent from the above description that the space bar may be operated to cause a single spacing without bringing into play the escapement wheel and the release pawl 15.

The actuating bar 12 is set in operation each time a print key is struck and effects a single spacing through the functioning of the release pawl in the manner more fully set forth above.

I have just described the functioning of the escapement wheel 10 when al print key,- is actuated and the separate functioning of the escapement controlling mechanism 11 when the space bar 5 alone is actuated. When the space bar 5 and a print key A,are simultaneously actuated, the functioning of the escapement wheel 10 and the escapement controlling mechanism 11 is cumulative. In other words, the operator may simultaneously strike the space bar 5 and a print key with the result that double spacing is effected.

It may be desirable to construct a typewriter'in which it is possible to effect single spacing, double spacing, or the simultaneous'operation of a print key and the effecting of a double spacing operation. In Figure 2, I have shown mechanism adapted to perform any one of these operations at the willy of the operator. A portion of the mechanism included in the modification shown in Figure 2 has been described in my Patent No. 1,855,845, granted April 26, 1932.

It will be noted that in accordance with this modification, I include in the keyboard an extra space bar 48. The other space bar is the same as in Figure 1 and the parts operated thereby have been given the same reference numerals as in Figures 1, 3, and 5. An extension 50 of the space bar 48 extends upwardly, as shown in Figures 2 and 11, so as to engage both the ribbon feeding mechanism 19 and one arm of a' bell-crank lever 51. This bell-crank lever 51 rocks about its pivotal mounting 52 and is effective through the link 53 for drawing the stop 54 outwardly against the action of the spring 55. In its outer position, the enlarged portion of the stop 54 is moved to such a point that it will not be effective for engagingv the /release pawl 15, the release pawl consequently being free to move until it engages the stem portion 56 of the stop. The difference between the diameter of the enlarged head on the stop 54 and the diameter of the stem 56 is such that the release pawl may move to the right a sul'cient distance to permit it to yfreely pass one of the teeth on the escapement wheel 10 and engage the next tooth therebeyond. By reason of this construction, upon the return of the escapement mechanism to its normal position, a movement of the escapement wheel 10 through just twice its normal distance will be obtained, thereby resulting in a double spacing of the carriage.

In the event the space bar 48 is depressed simultaneously with the actuation of a print key, it is obvious that not only will the ordinary spacing effected by the print key be obtained, but also a supplemental space by reason of the withdrawal of the stop 54. For example, if the period key is depressed simultaneously with the depression of the space bar 48, upon the release of the parts, the carriage will be in a position to permit the typing of a new word with the first letter of that word a distance of one space from the period.

The escapement controlling mechanism 11 voperates cumulatively, as previously pointed out.

ously depressing a print key.

of a new word with the rst letter of that word' adistance of two spaces from the period. Either space bar may be. operated without simultane- If the space bar 5 be depressed and released, single spacing will be effected. If the space bar 48 alone bedepressed, its inner extension will, as is evident from Figure 11, actuate both the ribbon feeding mechanism 19 and the bell-crank lever 51. Accordingly, double spacing will be effected. If both space bars be simultaneously depressed, triple vspacing will be effected since the operation of the escapement controlling mechanism 11 is cumulative.

In Figure 9 of the drawings, there is illustrated a double or twin keyboard installation in which all of the keys designated K in the lefthand group are adapted to print to the left of the printing line PL, while all of the keys K' of the righthand group are adapted to print to the right of the printing line PL. Each of the keys will be of usual construction as hereinbefore described, whereby each key will result in a single spacing operation. Each group of keys will preferably effect spacing independently of the other. In other words, either group may effect spacing, whereas if both are simultaneously operated, double spacing may be effected. I have foundl it desirable to have the keys K control an escapement mechanism similar to that shown at 10, 13, 14, 15, and 18 in Figures 1, 3, and 5, and the keys K control the type of mechanism shown at 11, 21 in Figures 1, 3, and 5. The keys K, in swinging the type bars to print, actuate the usual vibrator actuating bar 12, such as is shown in Figures 1 and 3. Accordingly, the keys K effect spacing by means of the elements 10, 13, 14, 15, and 18 in the usual manner. The keys K in swinging the type bars actuate a supplemental vibrator actuating bar 12' having a rod 62 extending rearwardly to the vertical arm of the bell-crank lever 21. Accordingly, whenever a key K is struck, the bell-crank lever 21 is rocked against the tension of the spring 26 to effect spacing through the mechanism 11. With they group of keys K cooperates a single space bara. 58, while with the group of k'eys K cooperates space bars 59 and 60. venient, may be a single member. The space bars 58 and 60 cooperate with one arm of the bell-crank lever 51. As actuation of this bellcrank lever 51 results in double spacing, and the actuation of the mechanism 11 results in single spacing, by striking a print key K, a print key K', and the space bar 58, or the space bar 60, two characters may be printed ready for the commencement of the following word. The space bar 59 is connected to the bell-crank llever 2l so as to actuate'the mechanism 11. Accordingly, for single spacing, the space bar 59 may be actuated. With the construction of the character just described, one character in each keyboard, together with either the space bar 58 or the space bar 60, may be depressed simul- The space bars 58 and 60, if contaneously. In writing the word he, for exam- I'mi be depressed simultaneously with the operation of the above-mentioned print keys h and e. The letters of the word would both be printed and a space obtained ready for the commencement'of the lfollowing word in the case of the depression of either bar. This is true forothe reason that `the action of the escapements is cumulative, and the movement eilected by one in nowise interferes with the movement effected. The 'space bar 59 is -employed yment controlling mechanism which may be actuated by a space bar to effect single spacing after a print key has been released or to eect the simultaneous-printing of a; character and a spacing xoperation .in addition to that eiected by the printing itself.

Still other advantages of the present invention arise from the'provision of a typewriter of such construction that either of two space bars may be operated lselectively to accordingly effect single,l or double spacing and thatJ either space bar, together with a print key, may be simultaneously operated for obtaining simultaneous printing of a character and a spacing operation, either a single or a double spacing operation being eiected in addition to that eiected by the printing itself."

Still further advantages of the present invention arise from the provision of a typewriter of such construction that a plurality of characters may be simultaneously printed, a plurality of 'different spacing operations simltaneously obtained, orA whereby a Vcombination of these two conditions may be obtained.

While I have illustrated and described two specilc arrangements Vof escapement mecha.'-

`nisms for a single keyboard typewriter and a preferred arrangement of escapement mechanisms' for doubletypewriters, it will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the particular construction and arrangements shown but may be variously modified within the contemplation ci the invention and under the scope of the following claims I claim: s

1. In a typewriter, a carriage, a keyboard including print keys and a `space key, and escapement mechanism for advancing the carriage, said escapement mechanism being operable td eilect a spacing operation by depression of either a print key or said space key, and furthermore being operable to eilect the summation of said spacing operations by depression both of a print key and said space key.

2. In a typewriter, a carriage, a plurality of print keys, a space key, escapement mechanism operable to eiect a spacing operation by depression of a print key, and control mechanism operable by depression of said space key to independently cause aspacing operation on the part of said escapement mechanism, said escapement mechanism' being operable to eiect, the

pression 'simultaneously :of a print key and said space key. L y

3. In a typewriter, a carriage, escapement mechanism, controlling mechanism for said escapement mechanism, a keyboard including a plurality of print keys and a device for actuating. said controlling' mechanism either simultaneously with the operation of a print key or separately therefrom at the `willof the operator, and means operated by a key in printing'for `actuating said escapement mechanism, said controlling mechanism being connected to thesscapement mechanism -so as to effect double spacing whena key and said device are simultaneously operated and single spacing when the device is operated separately.

controlling relative rotation between said es-l capement wheel and said element, and mechanism including an oscillatable holding member actuated by a key in printing for permitting step by step rotation of said 'escapement wheel.

5. In a typewriter, a carriage, a keyboard including print keys and a space key, means including a rotatable shaft for advancing the carriage, an escapement wheel rotatable relative to said shaft, a 'ratchet wheel escapement device mounted on said shaft for controlling relativeI rotation between said. escapement- 'wheel and said shaft, means controlled by said space key for actuating said ratchet wheel escapement device to eiect relative rotation between said escapement wheel and said shaft, and means actuated by a key in printing for permitting step by step rotation of said escapement Wheel.b

6. In a typewriter, a pair of keyboards, each nism under the independent control of the other of the keyboards, and means for actuating said escapement mechanisms and said variable stop device whereby single or double spacing may be selectively eiected simultaneously .with the printing of a character.

7. In a typewriter, a carriage, a keyboard including print keys and a plurality of keys for controlling spacing, escapement mechanism normally operative to advance the carriage a single space, means controlled by one' of said, control keys for doubling the exent of spacing effected by said escapement mechanism, and supplemental escapement mechanism controlled by another of said control keys for eiecting an additional spacing operation, said spacing operations being cumulative. f

8. In a typewriter, a plurality of keyboards.

each having sets of type bars having adjacent printing points separated a letter space distance, an escapement mechanism under the controlof one of the keyboards, a second independent escapement mechanism under the control of another of the keyboards, and escapementcontrolling mechanism operative to produce spacing .cumulative with the spacing effected'by one of said escapement mechanisms.

9..In Aucombination, in a typewriter, a carriage, an. escapement mechanism, and a conmechanism normally operative to produce a single spacing operation of the carriage, a. shiftable device cooperating with said escapement mechanism to change the operation of said escapement mechanism to produce double spacing of the carriage, a member under the control of the operator for operating said device, and control mechanism interposed between said escapement mechanism and said carriage to effect an additional spacing operation of the carriage, said spacing operations being cumulative.

, f PATRICK W. SHIELDS. 

